The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) Ene Obi has said the country’s parliament is becoming a safe haven for looters thereby causing a wide spread of corruption in the country.
Ene said in fighting corruption, looters in the country must be held accountable and should be called for questioning.
The Country Director said this on Wednesday when she and her team paid a courtesy visit to Blueprint’s Headquarters in Abuja calling on Nigerians to believe in the National Anthem and pledges which states that one should be fateful, loyal and honest.
According to her, those who doesn’t adhere to the National Anthem and pledges should be punished.
Ene lamented that corruption has become an impediment as Nigerians are now falling below the poverty line.
She said corruption also brings impediment to investors in the country because most investors are afraid of investing in Nigeria due to spate corruption cases.
“Even in the few jobs that are available in the country , you still find the children of the rich contesting with the poor and all these introduces confusion in the society, “ she said.
On parts of its programs in ActionAid, Ene explained that they have worked with about 30 countries within its 20years of existence in Nigeria especially in the grassroot level.
She said ActionAid will be celebrating its 20 years in October as they have touched many lives such as women empowerment programs , on the girl child through the gender base programs among others.
She said, “We know that poverty is real because some people have decided to reduce the country to a looting environment and that has to stop .
She urged Blueprint Newspapers not to give up on the fight against corruption adding that the media is a critical partner who amplifies what they do.
In response , the Chief Operating Officer (COO) Salisu Umar lauded ActionAid for the good geature assuring that they will continue to partner with ActionAid and other agencies in alleviating the fight against corruption and poverty.
He also advised that the fight against corruption and poverty should start from the government especially at the National Assembly.
